Naadu Dedicates MV Maersk Cape Coast

The First Lady, Ernestina Naadu Mills on Friday christened and dedicated the first of about 22 250-metre long container vessels owned by WAFMAX at a colourful ceremony at the Tema Port.

Mrs Naadu Mills, who named WAFMAX's first largest vessel MV Maersk Cape Coast and opened a bottle of Champagne to officially usher it into business amidst fireworks by the military, was also named the godmother of the vessel.

In a speech, she called for God's bountiful blessing on the operations of the vessel and long life after which she toured the vessel.

The ship had set sail from South Korea, where it was manufactured, through Singapore and Malaysia to dock at the Tema Port. It is scheduled to service West Africa and Asia in the container shipment business.

Shaim UlhHuq, Managing Director of Maersk Ghana, in a remark, said the launch of WAFMAX's first vessel in Ghana represented a clear testimony of the company's commitment to support Ghana as an emerging economy in West Africa.

Anders Boenas, Vice President of Africa Services, in an address, said MV Maersk Cape Coast, now on a main voyage of her life, was built with the latest technologies.

'The vessel's other 21 sisters will follow soon,' he averred adding that the ship, which could carry 4,500 pieces of containers, was designed for quick growing trade between West Africa and Asia.

He said MV Maersk Cape Coast, worth about $2 billion in total, boast of the most advanced engineers and a reduced carbon emission level of less than 30 percent.

'This tells how environmentally-friendly the vessel's operation can be.'

Mr. Boenas expressed gratitude to the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA) and the Ministry of Transport for collaborating to make the arrival of the vessel a success.

By Samuel Boadi